Getting a high quality education in agriculture while staying close to home is now a reality thanks to a new partnership between Michigan State University and Southwestern Michigan College.

Staring this fall, students will be able to earn an associate’s degree at SMC while at the same time obtaining a certificate through the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology.

A Southwestern Michigan College admissions advisor said the certificate will open up doors for people wanting to start a career in a variety of agriculture related fields.

“Having this MSU certificate is even better because of the recognition they are receiving because it’s the best agriculture program,” said Kelly Dowling. “To say that their certificate comes from MSU puts them that much higher.”

Tom Hurst, Niles High School AgriScience teacher, said he has been waiting a long time for this area to receive a local, two-year agriculture program.

“Nothing against MSU, but the distance and the size of the institution is intimidating for a lot of kids,” he said. “Southwestern Michigan is an absolute bounty of agricultural products… this is a chance for these kids to get that education without being in an apartment or a dorm. They can stay home and have much smaller class sizes. A lot of our kids aren’t ready for a four year institution.”

The quality of the education will be the same as what a student would get if they attended a two-year certificate program on the MSU campus, according to Stacey Rocklin, coordinator of MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology.

“The quality is the same because the courses are the same,” she said, adding that it would be taught using a combination of online and face-to-face learning.

Dowling said students would also save money because they will be taking their general education courses at the SMC price, while only paying the higher MSU price for agriculture courses.

“It is significant savings,” Dowling said.

The new partnership program begins this fall.

Rocklin said they hope to have at least 40 students enrolled in the program. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The following MSU Ag Tech certificates will be offered through the program:

• Agriculture Operations

• Fruit and Vegetable Crop Management

• Landscape Management

• Viticulture

• Applied Horse Science

Dowling said the associate’s degree from SMC is compliant with the Michigan Transfer Agreement, meaning credits will transfer from one institution to another.